An excellent start was made at precisely 1800 with only the RC boat lagging the field.

All boats made a cautious start one boat length under the mark on at least a beam reach.

HOI POLLOI  went immediately to a spinnaker with most following soon thereafter, minus BOOMA and ARTEMIS who elected to try jib and main. KAMAKAZI went further north looking for a better angle and got their spinnaker up 20 minutes later.

NORTHERN LIGHT used their speed to stretch to an early lead.

At 1940 the overcast skies cleared from the east with the sun making a big time reflection astern, making all scramble for the sun block, the fair speeds enjoyed at the start dropped to 2.5 – 3 as things got quieter.

At 2120 with 2 miles to the turning mark, poor ARTEMIS was passed by the leaders going the other way. Led by NORTHERN LIGHT , HOI POLLOI and KAMAKAZI were in a group with five to six boat lengths separating each other. This did make for an outstanding photo op (prints available for a donation to the mariners , ask Don).

The wind picked up nicely for about 10 minutes then the dreaded summer doldrums  hit, and the drift to the mark began. One half hour later SAIL LA VIE went by and 2 hours later BOOMA rounded with ARTEMIS last around the mark 20 minutes later.

A big pressure shift allowed me to catch and pass BOOMA for a few minutes, we had great fun match racing back to the finish.

The skies stayed clear, with a lovely red sunset. The moon had already risen in the south past three quarters full making a bright and safe sail. Their were the occasional firework displays from shore, and East Jordan’s freedom fest fireworks could be heard. You just don’t get stuff like that with other regattas. Hint: come join the fun in 2006.

NORTHERN LIGHT gets the barn door kudos, being first in at 23:58:44. I will claim for myself the award for most dedicated or maybe foolish, for doing the race single handed.

Many thanks to Keith Attee for the rapid processing of the results.

Submitted by Captain Don